"It's not cheap to play this spectacular place—the greens fee is $495 and that includes the cart."

Mike Dudurich lists, "5 Courses That Every Golf Fan Should Play Before They Die," and please note that Mike writes, "The courses are all layouts open to the public, and they certainly aren't inexpensive." Open to the public," being the precise words which commentators on his post neglected to read and consequently gave him a hard time for not including Augusta National.Pebble Beach$US 495.00 at today's exchange rate is $NZ 638.80 so I think I'll pass on playing Pebble Beach. Apart from the monetary considerations there's too many inland holes and I'd settle for the Ocean Course at Halfmoon Bay where I'm told it's come down from it's Pebble Beach magnitude of money, and is perched on a bluff high above the roaring Pacific with sea views delivered at every hole.

Old Course St AndrewsHaving recently posted about why it's a good idea to play the Jubilee Course while visiting St Andrews I do believe Mike's got it right about playing the Old Course. He's also right about, "Yes, there are blind shots and gigantic greens and on one of those grey days, the landscape of the course looks more like a moonscape."Alas I do recall experiencing a few grey days at St Andrews so I'll pass on playing the Old Course again.

Pinehurst No 2"The course is a wonderful walk in the Carolina pines, and unlike Pebble Beach or the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, there's no ocean within a few hours of Pinehurst. The only water on the course is a pond near the 16th tee that's really not in play.Got kind of excited by Mike's description however, "no ocean within a few hours of Pinehurst," made me change my mind.

Kiawah IslandWell what d'ya know? Just as I was thinking, "I'd rather play Kiawah Island and there it is at No 4 on Mike's list."Fairways and greens on this wonderful layout were elevated by Dye so that golfers can actually see waves hitting the beaches. Even the inland holes have plenty of character and make this a must-play for serious golfers."

Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass"The real draw at the Stadium Course is the world-famous 17th hole, a medium-length par three whose green sits in the middle of a lake."The 17th hole does draw the crowds but won't draw me to play. Built to test the pros and contoured for optimum spectator experience the course comes across as too artificial

So what's my choice?I've never before considered the criterion of must-be open to the public so will have to give some thought to my choices. In the meantime I'll keep dreaming of one day playing Cypress Point and Pine Valley.

Quote of the Day"And where could you find holes with great names like the Swilcan Burn, Hell Bunker and the Road Hole or the daunting tee shot over the edge of the Old Course Hotel on the 17th?" - Mike Dudurich